The concept of tolling drivers entering the state of Massachusetts has angered some Americans, including local politicians.
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, 49, was among those who spoke, after the idea was floated last week by Bay State Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt.
The Republican criticized the forward-looking guidance, calling it “yet another way to needlessly take (citizens’) money,” this time by taxing it at the state border.
The yet-to-be-drafted bill would affect travelers using local roads, rails and transit systems, Tibbits-Nutt said, and would be in effect throughout Massachusetts.
The concept has since drawn criticism from conservatives like Sununu, who spoke out in a statement Friday.
Bay State Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt floated the idea last week during an April 10 advocacy meeting.
New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, 49, was among those who spoke, issuing a statement on Friday.
“It looks like Massachusetts has found yet another way to take your money unnecessarily,” Sununu, a Republican, told the Boston Herald.
“All the more reason for more Massachusetts residents to permanently settle in New Hampshire,”
The Granite State Governor added, “The Live Free or Die State continues to be the place to be. »
Other local conservatives also criticized Tibbits-Nutt’s remarks at the April 10 advocacy meeting, which included not-so-nice remarks about van drivers,
“We can’t price them high enough or charge them enough…that’s going to stop the type of person who wants to buy this car,” the state employee said, after being asked if his department could do anything “to help”. protect residents from their emissions, or dissuade people from purchasing them.
“I am 100% judgmental of someone wanting to drive an 18-wheeler as their personal car, we have no control over that,” Tibbits-Nut said in response.
” We can not. We can not do anything with it. At least legally, there’s nothing we can do about it.
Massachusetts Republican Party Chairwoman Amy Carnevale said Friday the comments showed the “true nature” of the administration of Gov. Maura Healey — the Democrat who oversees the Bay State.
Tibbits-Nutt’s remarks at the April 10 advocacy meeting included some not-so-kind words about pickup truck drivers and the emissions their vehicles emit.
“We can’t price them high enough or charge them enough…that’s going to stop the type of person who wants to buy this car,” the state employee said, after being asked if his department could do anything “to help”. protect residents from vehicles or dissuade people from purchasing them
“I am 100% judgmental of someone wanting to drive an 18-wheeler as their personal car, we have no control over that,” Tibbits-Nut said in response. ” We can not. We can not do anything with it. At least legally, there’s nothing we can do about it.
“Already grappling with the burden of unaffordability, the prospect of higher tolls, increased taxes on Uber and Lyft rides, Amazon deliveries and payroll taxes only add to the struggle of Massachusetts residents “said the curator, highlighting some of the side effects. of such an orientation.
“No resident of Massachusetts wants that. It is abundantly clear that the Healey-Driscoll administration’s approach to governance is one of government versus the taxpayer,” Carnevale told the Herald.
Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance spokesperson Paul Craney, meanwhile, called Tibbits-Nutt’s comments at the recent event “simply reprehensible.”
“Decisions to raise taxes, fees or increase tolls should be made by our elected legislature, not announced by an overzealous, unelected bureaucrat to a special interest organization,” Craney said in a statement to the newspaper.
“The people she vilifies are just regular people trying to go about their daily lives.
“Our state government should make people’s lives easier, not harder,” he concluded.
Asked about the concept by WMUR-9 New Hampshire pilot Friday, Jonathan Farhadian said, “I don’t think I would be in favor of that.”
“I think as far as the route south from New Hampshire to Boston, we’re already going through tolls over the bridge anyway,” he said, as the truck his roofing business, which would not be exempt from the tax, was parked. background.
Massachusetts Republican Party Chairwoman Amy Carnevale (pictured) said Friday the comments showed the “true nature” of the administration of Gov. Maura Healey — the Democrat who oversees the Bay State.
Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance spokesperson Paul Craney, meanwhile, called Tibbits-Nutt’s comments at the recent event “simply reprehensible.”
Asked about the concept Friday, New Hampshire trucker Jonathan Farhadian said, “I don’t think I would be in favor of that,” “I think as far as driving south from New Hampshire to Boston, we “We’re already going through tolls anyway on the bridge.” His roofing company’s truck, which would not be exempt from the tax, is visible in the background.
The Transportation Finance Task Force first met in late February and is expected to provide a final written report to Governor Healey (pictured) by the end of the year.
If implemented, the law would affect drivers traveling on Interstate 95, Interstate 93 and Route 3, all of which are roads connecting New Hampshire to Massachusetts.
The secretary of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation said a task force is currently considering it and seeking funding options in the early stages.
If implemented, the law would affect drivers traveling on Interstate 95, Interstate 93 and Route 3, all of which are roads connecting New Hampshire to Massachusetts.
The secretary of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation said a task force is currently considering it and looking for funding options in its early stages.
She added that the task force was specifically created to examine new funding initiatives for transportation in the famously liberal state, and said it was already considering charging more for transportation network companies such as Uber and Lyft when they pass through toll booths, as well as Amazon. for parcel deliveries.
The transportation finance group first met in late February, Tibbits-Nutt said, and is expected to provide a final written report to Gov. Healey by the end of the year.
Speaking about the potential toll last week, Tibbits-Nuttre emphasized that the concept only applies to motorists at the border — not drivers inside the state, like the recently implemented congestion toll guidelines. works in New York.
“When I talk about tolls, I’m talking about borders. I don’t talk like I do in Massachusetts,” she told the audience.
“I pay the tolls, so it’s one of those… where people say ‘you just want tolls.’ I say to myself, “I pay the toll. It’s not in my interest to increase it.”
“But we are going after everyone who should be giving us money to improve our transportation and our communities.”
It is not yet clear whether the House and Senate will accept the concept. They will debate their own budget rewrite over the next two months.
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